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appear to be working satisfactorily. There is no evidence
that the service is being abused or that unnecessary visits
are being requested. This matter is kept under close
review, and I would have no hesitation in making representations
to the Committee if I thought that alterations should
be made.
With regard to transport, five nurses are provided
with County cars, and one with a County auto-cycle. 11
nurses receive an allowance for using their bicycles;
the remainder use public transport.
Recent experience has shown that the services of a
Male Home Nurse would be advantageous. We are therefore
taking steps to make such an appointment.
10. HOME HELP SERVICE.
The equivalent number of whole-time Home Helps at the
end of 1953 was 63½, the actual number being 86. During
the year 671 cases were provided with help, as follows:
Maternity 121
Tuberculosis 33
Chronic sick(including
aged and infirm) 214
Others 303
There is an Organiser of Home Helps and an Assistant
Organiser. The Organiser is provided with transport on
one day each week, with occasional extra transport to assist
in urgent visiting.
The County Council regulations as to priorities are
strictly observed in operating the Home Help Service.
This is one of the most difficult services to organise and
run, since the number of Home Helps available is seldom,
if ever, able to meet requirements. It will also be
appreciated that our Home Helps come and go with disturbing
frequency, being drawn from that section of the community
which is not particularly interested in long-term employment.
This will be seen from the fact that the number of
resignations from the Home Help Service during 1953 was 27.
Yet another difficulty lies in the fact that most of our
Home Helps are married and have their own children, all of
whom are liable to the illnesses associated with childhood.
When this happens, the Home Help Organiser is liable to
find herself without a number of Home Helps, at a time when
these are most required. Continuous steps are taken to
implement the number of women used in this service, since
there can be no doubt that the Home Help Service does supply
a very definite need.
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